Summary
In this video Chris explores the color grading tool inside On1 Photo RAW, focusing on simple, practical techniques for enhancing images by infusing colors into shadows, midtones, and highlights.
Chris demonstrates how to use the color wheels for hue and saturation adjustments and explains how color grading can evoke emotion in a photo. The tutorial covers tips such as using complementary colors (check our app here ) for shadows and highlights, adjusting brightness within tonal ranges, and refining saturation without shifting hues.
Additionally, the video explains the use of blend modes – specifically the color blend mode – to apply color grading without altering luminance, perfect for finalizing edits. Masking techniques are also introduced to selectively apply color grading to backgrounds or subjects. Chris emphasizes applying color grading as a finishing step after all light and local adjustments are complete, offering a cohesive color palette for the image.
Key Insights
- Color grading in On1 Photo RAW infuses color into shadows, midtones, and highlights.
- Shadows, midtones, and highlights each have dedicated color wheels with hue and saturation controls.
- Hue controls the actual color, saturation controls the intensity of that color.
- The brightness slider affects the tonal range being edited without changing the entire image brightness.
- Complementary colors work well when applying color to shadows and highlights for balance.
- Holding the Shift key while adjusting saturation locks the hue, preventing unwanted color shifts.
- The color blend mode applies color changes without affecting luminance, ideal for subtle finishing touches.
- Masking allows selective application of color grading, such as isolating the background or subject.
- The density slider in mask refinement adjusts how much the effect bleeds into masked areas, allowing smoother transitions.
- Applying color grading is best done at the end of the editing workflow to unify the image’s color palette.
Key Learning Points
- Understand the color wheel basics: warm tones on one side, cool tones on the other, for emotional impact.
- Use the shadows color wheel to add depth or mood with darker, cooler, or warmer tones.
- Apply complementary colors to highlights to create contrast and skin contouring in portraits.
- Adjust midtones as a fill color to harmonize the overall look, but use opacity to avoid overpowering the image.
- Use the shift key while changing saturation to maintain consistent color hues.
- Experiment with brightness in tonal ranges to control how much lightness or darkness affects the color infusion.
- Switch to the color blend mode to infuse color without impacting brightness or contrast, useful after light adjustments.
- Use masking to separately color grade background and subject for better control and realism.
- Use the density slider in masking to blend effects smoothly between masked and unmasked areas.
- Integrate color grading as a final step to unify and stylize the image for a professional and cohesive appearance.
Conclusion
The video provides a clear, practical guide to mastering the color grading tool in On1 Photo RAW, emphasizing simplicity and creative control. By manipulating shadows, midtones, and highlights with hue, saturation, and brightness, users can evoke specific emotions and achieve balanced, professional-quality color effects. The introduction of blend modes and masking offers advanced flexibility, allowing for subtle or dramatic adjustments tailored to the composition. Ultimately, applying color grading as a finishing touch ensures a cohesive and harmonized final image, elevating the overall photographic impact. This tutorial is a valuable resource for photographers aiming to refine their post-processing workflow and color aesthetics.